Mahé Regions Guide - attractions

Victoria
Having the dubious honour of being the smallest capital city in the world, Victoria can also be considered one of the quaintest and most charming, easily explored on foot. The best place to soak up the friendly atmosphere is at the busy daily market (closed on Sundays), where local crafts are on sale along with fish, fruit and vegetables. A hint of French and British colonial days still remains, reflected in buildings like the courthouse and main post office. Among the colourful houses there is also a cathedral and a clock tower built as a copy of the one housing Big Ben in London. The city is also something of an art centre, and works by local artists are popular buys at local galleries.
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Seychelles Natural History Museum
Located in the centre of Victoria, the Seychelles Natural History Museum features some fascinating exhibits like the bones of an extinct type of crocodile, a shipwreck, various stuffed animals and other curiosities of the natural world.
Telephone: 32 13 33
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Opening times: Open Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm; Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 12pm

National Museum of History
Step back into the days of the buccaneers at the Seychelles National Museum of History, which features excellent displays of historic artefacts relating to the cultural and natural history of the islands. Exhibits include a range of interesting objects from shipwreck salvage, coral, voodoo dolls and old household objects to items that belonged to well-known pirates in days of old.
Telephone: 32 13 33
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Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 12pm

National Botanical Gardens
An oasis of green shade, ideal for a stroll, the century-old Botanical Gardens at the south end of Victoria extend for six hectares (15 acres), planted with a wide variety of indigenous and exotic trees, including the Seychelles islands' unique 'coco de mer' palms. The orchid garden is particularly lovely. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop in the Gardens.
Telephone: 670 500
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Opening times: Daily 8am to 5pm

Beau Vallon Bay
The mile long beach encircling beautiful Beau Vallon Bay on the northern coast of Mahé Island is the most popular beach resort area in the Seychelles, boasting several hotels and a selection of dive and watersport centres. Beau Vallon also has a number of dive sites within the bay, including two wrecks and several coral reefs. The Marine Park of Bay Ternay is also easily accessible from the bay.
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